On Nikkei

What is Nikkei? Ryusuke Kawai, a non-fiction writer who translated "No-No Boy," covers a variety of topics related to Nikkei, including people, history, books, movies, and music, focusing on his own involvement with Nikkei.
Stories from this series

Part 57 (1) Pursuing a world where cultures intersect
Feb. 14, 2025 • Ryusuke Kawai
Since her experience studying abroad in the United States in the 1970s, Nobuko Awaya has been concerned with issues of identity, and has since traveled the world to study minorities and intercultural communication. In recent years, she has been launching art projects based in Chihanan in Izu, her hometown. We spoke to her about her intercultural experiences and her work to this day, focusing on her involvement with the Japanese community. As the only Japanese student studying abroad Kawai: How …

Part 56 Japanese in Kamchatka before the war
Jan. 10, 2025 • Ryusuke Kawai
From the research of Michi Horie Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Japanese researchers studying the historical relationship between Russia and Japan have expressed confusion and concern. One such researcher is Kyoto resident Machi Horie, whose grandfather and father emigrated to Vladivostok and Kamchatka before the war and ran a store there. Based on some of the research she has compiled and similar research that has been sent to her, I would like to introduce the activities of Japanese people in …

Part 55 (2) An interview with Yumiko Murakami, one of the first to focus on Asian America
Dec. 27, 2024 • Ryusuke Kawai
Read Part 55 (1) Murakami Yumiko, a writer and researcher of ethnic culture, has been reporting on Japanese and Asian Americans since the 1970s and has published non-fiction and other books based on her findings. We continue to speak to her about the track record and significance of her many years of reporting and research on the theme of Asian America. Discrimination in movies Kawai : You seem to focus particularly on the world of theater and film within the …

Part 55 (1) An interview with Yumiko Murakami, one of the first to focus on Asian America
Dec. 13, 2024 • Ryusuke Kawai
Murakami Yumiko, a writer and researcher of ethnic culture, has been reporting on Japanese Americans and Asian Americans since the 1970s and publishing the results of her research in non-fiction and other books. We spoke to her about the track record and significance of her many years of reporting and research on the theme of Asian America. Meeting with picture book author Taro Yashima Kawai : Could you tell us about the historical flow of the research and interviews you …

Part 54 (2) The History of a Japanese Family in Florida
Nov. 22, 2024 • Ryusuke Kawai
From "The Story of Ichiro Omaye" Last time , we introduced the history of the Omaye family, who ran a farm in Florida, USA, based on the writings of their descendant, Omaye Kosei, who now lives in Kyoto. Kosei's grandfather, Omaye Kyujiro, left his hometown in the mountains of Hyogo Prefecture and traveled to the USA in 1903 (Meiji 36) to repay his debts. He initially worked on the West Coast, but later moved to Jacksonville in northern Florida as …

Part 54 (1) The History of a Japanese Family in Florida
Nov. 8, 2024 • Ryusuke Kawai
A story of three generations of the Omaye family A few years ago, Mr. Kosei Omaye, who lives in Kyoto City, sent me a copy of his book "The Story of Ichiro Omaye" (Zou no Mori Shobo), a family history of the Omaye family with ties to Florida in the United States. Mr. Omaye knew that I had previously written a non-fiction book about Japanese immigrants to Florida called "Yamato Colony: The Men Who Left Japan in Florida" (Shunposha). Immigration …
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See exciting new changes to Discover Nikkei. Find out what’s new and what’s coming soon! Learn MoreJournalist and non-fiction writer. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Keio University, he worked as a reporter for the Mainichi Shimbun before going independent. His books includeYamato Colony: The Men Who Left Japan in Florida(Shunpousha). He translated the monumental work of Japanese American literature,No-No Boy(Shunpousha). The English version ofYamato Colony, won the 2021 Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Award for the best book on ethnic groups or social issues from the Florida Historical Society.
Updated November 2021
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